German Style Leg Armor, 1460-1500

Description of the Product

Leg protection is very important for the cavalry as the riders legs are easy target for any opponent. This was apparent already well before the time of the heavily armored 15th century knights on their equally well armored horses. Leg armor of various kinds were used well before this style of leg armor was designed during the 15th century, but functionally and visually nothing like this had existed before. Intricate work in German style armors have undeniable beauty in them.

This version is based on an original armor from south Germany that is nowadays exhibited in a collection in Berlin. This piece reflects the Belgium and Austrian influence in the Germany of the age. The lateral hinge system of this armor can be found also in the Waldemar VI´s armor stored at present in the Royal Armouries in Leeds or in the archduke (later emperor) Maximilian I´s armor.

14th and 15th century medieval plate armor is roughly categorized into Italian style and German style armor. These were the two leading armor development and manufacturing hotspots in Europe and their designs and styles were copied even if the manufacturing and use happened somewhere else within Europe. Italian style armor was stylistically smooth and round and German style had grooves, flutes, sharp turns and peaks in it. Smooth and round armor deflects blows easily away but ridges and grooves give steel more strength and integrity. Naturally visual style also meant a lot to rich medieval knights who wanted to look fashionable in their everyday clothing as well as in their armor.

This leg armour joins the greave (shin protection) with a cuisse (protecting the thigh), a poleyn (knee cop) and a demigreave (short shin protection protruding from the poleyn). The greave has a pin which is inserted through a hole in the demi-greave to make a complete protection for the whole leg.

This German style leg armor is made of two separate and adjustable parts as the greaves can be adjusted for height depending on which hole you use when attaching to the demi-greave, making either 74 cm or 76 cm in total height. The harness is attached behind the leg with five leather belts, and hung from the top attached to your arming jack or arming belt with separate arming laces.

• Protects the thighs, knees and shins
• Consist of two separate parts. The upper part protecting the thigh and knee is cuisse with poleyn. The second part protecting the shin is called greave.
• Thigh and knee armor can be used with the separate greaves or by themselves
• Triple articulation at the knee gives the harness excellent mobility
• Made of 1.6-2.3 mm thick steel depending on the part. Steel thickness may vary due to the handcrafted methods used in manufacturing
• Satin finish so its surface will be slightly reflective as many original armor models
• Total height either 74 cm or 76 cm depending on which hole you use for attaching the greaves
• Harness is attached at the top to your arming jack or arming belt and tightened behind the leg with leather belts
• Pair weight approx. 7,5 kg
• Includes a pair -armor for both legs
• Made by Marshall Historical

Cuisse (thigh protection) with Poleyn (knee protection)
- 45 cm from the inside part of thigh until the middle of the knee.
- 44 cm from the upper part in the middle of guisse until the middle of the knee.
- 57 cm total length.
- 5,5 cm from the end of the demi-greave (sharp point) until the first hole.
- 7,5 cm from the end of the demi-greave (sharp point) until the second hole.

Greave (shin protection)
- 26 cm from the button (fastening system) until the instep.
- 36 cm total length (for the side part).